First time study for outback pigeon

But the first ever study of the ecology of the Flock Bronzewing Pigeon has been completed with the help of pastoralists with long memories and good observations.

The scientist behind the study, Peter Dostine says the generosity and knowledge of those who participated, was heartening.

"I had to involve landholders, pastoralists because most of those people have been on their country for a long time and have pretty good knowledge of the natural history of the local landscape and they will have seen these pigeons come and go."

To that end, he did a mail-out survey to pastoralists throughout inland Australia to seek their input and their knowledge of the birds.

The birds occupy a range from the Pilbara to the north of New South Wales but seem to prefer the black soil country with grasslands, such as is found in the north east of the Barkly region.

It seems, however, that numbers have dropped drastically since white settlement.

"The outback ecology isn't a happy one. Arid Australia is known as the graveyard for mammals so historically there's been some adverse consequences for wildlife as a result of poor management early on in European settlement."

The pigeon can be seen in parts of the Barkly after good rains and in good conditions, but it depends on how pastures are managed.

"For example if there was a particularly invasive pasture grass that came to dominate those pastures to the disadvantage of native species, that would have an obvious impact."

Dr Dostine says the future of the Flock Bronzewing Pigeon depends on good management of native pastures and may need to involve pastoralists, but awareness is a good start.